Idoit40fans wrote:The Pens almost always start the season with 12 forwards and either 6 or 7 defensemen on the NHL roster, so they can make it work. Of course though, you're right, they need some cap space.

It's possible, though unlikely given history, that Engellend could play 4th line RW at times also.

The issue I have concern with is that gaping hole on the 3rd line. D'Agostini may be a perfect fit there...and he also may not be at all, and there are no options if he isn't. You waive him to the minors, and you have just enough space (about $675,000) to call up Dom Uher and no one else.

I would honestly be pretty shocked if Shero doesn't trade Niskanen by the end of August.

I know no one else agrees, but I think that Martin is a trade option as well. The team is going to have serious cap issues next year as well, unless the ceiling goes up significantly.

The team has essentially added 2 top 4 guys (Despres + Scuderi) that can replace Martin and Eaton/Niskanen in the top 4. Despres is ready for a bigger role. He won't get that by just trading Niskanen.

Shero certainly doesn't need to trade him, especially right now. But in so doing, he would get the highest return (the potential to restock the forward pool) and free up the most cap space, while maximizing the value of a guy like Despres, who is going to be held back otherwise.

pcm wrote:I know no one else agrees, but I think that Martin is a trade option as well. The team is going to have serious cap issues next year as well, unless the ceiling goes up significantly.

The team has essentially added 2 top 4 guys (Despres + Scuderi) that can replace Martin and Eaton/Niskanen in the top 4. Despres is ready for a bigger role. He won't get that by just trading Niskanen.

Shero certainly doesn't need to trade him, especially right now. But in so doing, he would get the highest return (the potential to restock the forward pool) and free up the most cap space, while maximizing the value of a guy like Despres, who is going to be held back otherwise.

I believe this too. Plus Jokien. Cap for this year solved and money for L2 LW or L3 LW.

www.pensburgh.com has a really good breakdown of player-pairings corsi for both F and D.

As some people noted in frustration during the season, Letang-Despres was our best pairing when together. It will be a shame if Despres is not in the top 4 next season.

For the forwards, Kunitz-Malkin actually had a better rating than Kunitz-Sid. I maintain #14 should be moved back up to play with Malkin and Neal. 14-71-18 was significantly more productive in 2011 than 14-87-9 was in 2012. When you add in the dropoff in production 71-18 experienced without Kunitz, it makes it even more clear.

pcm wrote:http://www.pensburgh.com has a really good breakdown of player-pairings corsi for both F and D.

As some people noted in frustration during the season, Letang-Despres was our best pairing when together. It will be a shame if Despres is not in the top 4 next season.

For the forwards, Kunitz-Malkin actually had a better rating than Kunitz-Sid. I maintain #14 should be moved back up to play with Malkin and Neal. 14-71-18 was significantly more productive in 2011 than 14-87-9 was in 2012. When you add in the dropoff in production 71-18 experienced without Kunitz, it makes it even more clear.

pcm wrote:http://www.pensburgh.com has a really good breakdown of player-pairings corsi for both F and D.

As some people noted in frustration during the season, Letang-Despres was our best pairing when together. It will be a shame if Despres is not in the top 4 next season.

For the forwards, Kunitz-Malkin actually had a better rating than Kunitz-Sid. I maintain #14 should be moved back up to play with Malkin and Neal. 14-71-18 was significantly more productive in 2011 than 14-87-9 was in 2012. When you add in the dropoff in production 71-18 experienced without Kunitz, it makes it even more clear.

pcm wrote:http://www.pensburgh.com has a really good breakdown of player-pairings corsi for both F and D.

As some people noted in frustration during the season, Letang-Despres was our best pairing when together. It will be a shame if Despres is not in the top 4 next season.

For the forwards, Kunitz-Malkin actually had a better rating than Kunitz-Sid. I maintain #14 should be moved back up to play with Malkin and Neal. 14-71-18 was significantly more productive in 2011 than 14-87-9 was in 2012. When you add in the dropoff in production 71-18 experienced without Kunitz, it makes it even more clear.

Idoit40fans wrote:Why do people want Glass out of the lineup so badly? He's not bad and he's a 4th liner.

Can't speak for everyone, but for me it is because he is no threat at all to score. Also, you can say he hustles, but a lot of guys hustle AND are a threat in the offensive zone. Glass neither scores nor sets up others for scores. For me, Vitale is the ultimate 4th liner. He hustles, set's up chances, crashes the net, gets the occasional really sweet goal... I would like to see some hungry WBS players given the Glass role and see what they can do with it. Glass just has no upward trajectory.

The lack of scoring is obvious, but that's not his role (until he gets moved up to the 3rd line, oh boy). It's that his hits have no impact on the game. I hardly imagine how he gets so many. He's barely noticeable out there on the ice. He just doesn't do anything very well, and so he brings nothing particular to the 4th line other than a $1m sweater.

Replace him with a 22 yr old who really wants to make an impression and earn a job, and this team becomes incrementally better.

I was a big supporter of Glass because I thought he would step-up in the playoffs. Then...didn't he get benched in the playoffs? o.o

He guy was leading/did lead the team in hits during the regular season. Dump puck in, throw 1 check, go back-check/make sure they didn't score.

-First off, hes obviously not worth 1.1 million-Mike Rupp isn't a scorer, but he came in here and put in 6-7 goals one season. You need SOME production from the 4th line guys.-This is why I was against the Adams signing because now you have 2 guys on the 4th line that just don't score, ever.

The Penguins have the worst 4th line in the league.

I honestly believe with Vitale, you could bring up Sill and another younger grinder and have a better line that Glass/Adams.

I'm so sick of Bylsma's veteran love fest. Glass/Adams won't do anything for 15 games. Bennett will have a turn over and get 3 shifts a night. Makes me sick just thinking about this happening again.

PAPLine wrote:

Idoit40fans wrote:So your problem with Glass over Adams is that Glass makes more money then?

That and Adams plays better defense, especially on the PK.

At least adams can PK. Even though I think its ridiculous to just have a guy on your roster for PK.

Nizzy wrote:I was a big supporter of Glass because I thought he would step-up in the playoffs. Then...didn't he get benched in the playoffs? o.o

He guy was leading/did lead the team in hits during the regular season. Dump puck in, throw 1 check, go back-check/make sure they didn't score.

-First off, hes obviously not worth 1.1 million-Mike Rupp isn't a scorer, but he came in here and put in 6-7 goals one season. You need SOME production from the 4th line guys.-This is why I was against the Adams signing because now you have 2 guys on the 4th line that just don't score, ever.

The Penguins have the worst 4th line in the league.

I honestly believe with Vitale, you could bring up Sill and another younger grinder :) and have a better line that Glass/Adams.

I'm so sick of Bylsma's veteran love fest. Glass/Adams won't do anything for 15 games. Bennett will have a turn over and get 3 shifts a night. Makes me sick just thinking about this happening again.

PAPLine wrote:

Idoit40fans wrote:So your problem with Glass over Adams is that Glass makes more money then?

That and Adams plays better defense, especially on the PK.

At least adams can PK. Even though I think its ridiculous to just have a guy on your roster for PK.

Lol the worst 4th line in the league. First off I don't buy that, second off who friggin' cares its the 4th line. It's the line that is constantly being shuffled as the year goes on.

Nizzy wrote:I was a big supporter of Glass because I thought he would step-up in the playoffs. Then...didn't he get benched in the playoffs? o.o

He guy was leading/did lead the team in hits during the regular season. Dump puck in, throw 1 check, go back-check/make sure they didn't score.

-First off, hes obviously not worth 1.1 million-Mike Rupp isn't a scorer, but he came in here and put in 6-7 goals one season. You need SOME production from the 4th line guys.-This is why I was against the Adams signing because now you have 2 guys on the 4th line that just don't score, ever.

The Penguins have the worst 4th line in the league.

I honestly believe with Vitale, you could bring up Sill and another younger grinder and have a better line that Glass/Adams.

I'm so sick of Bylsma's veteran love fest. Glass/Adams won't do anything for 15 games. Bennett will have a turn over and get 3 shifts a night. Makes me sick just thinking about this happening again.

PAPLine wrote:

Idoit40fans wrote:So your problem with Glass over Adams is that Glass makes more money then?

That and Adams plays better defense, especially on the PK.

At least adams can PK. Even though I think its ridiculous to just have a guy on your roster for PK.

pens2005 wrote:Lol the worst 4th line in the league. First off I don't buy that, second off who friggin' cares its the 4th line. It's the line that is constantly being shuffled as the year goes on.

If your moaning about the 4th line, then times must be good.

I have no clue if its the worst 4th line, but it is REALLY terrible imo.

And yes, you're right... times are good if the complaint is the 4th line. Its obvious we're a really good team / contender, which is why this can be our problem. That being said, compared to other teams that are in similar situations (good times) it can be the difference

Nizzy wrote:-Mike Rupp isn't a scorer, but he came in here and put in 6-7 goals one season. You need SOME production from the 4th line guys.-This is why I was against the Adams signing because now you have 2 guys on the 4th line that just don't score, ever.

I don't understand this. The Pens led the league in goals for during the regular season. Why exactly do we need more goals?